A Small Slice of Paradise In Between Sea and Sky
Located in Positano, a cliffside village on southern Italy’s stunning Amalfi Coast, Il San Pietro is a luxurious 5-star hotel, often included in the ‘World’s Best’ lists, that prides itself on offering its guests a small slice of paradise, suspended between sea and sky. We recently caught up with the hotel’s General Manager, Andrea Zana, to find out why the legendary, yet exclusive, spot is so popular with its high-end clientele.
Carved discreetly into the cliffside, the hotel offers guests unrivalled opulence and seclusion. What features at the Il San Pietro tend to be especially popular with your guests?
The most exclusive and best-loved feature is the private beach and we are the only hotel in Positano that has a private beach club on site. Getting to the private beach is also very special, as guests take a lift which is carved into the rock and leads to the sea, straight from their room in less than a minute. In addition, the location allows the sun to shine all day long until sunset, so guests can benefit from it even when returning from an afternoon excursion.
The hotel’s culinary offering is rather special, what are the must-try highlights?
The Spaghetti Positano and our San Pietro Jack Dory fish in lemon crust are our two highlights. Our Spaghetti Positano is the simplest, but also best-selling dish on our menu and is an authentic Mediterranean delicacy prepared with tomatoes from the hotel’s garden.
The “San Pietro” is one of our most popular fish dishes because it’s presented in a combination that is very much in keeping with the atmosphere of the Amalfi Coast. The lemon crust used is the most popular ingredient in the region.
The hotel is set in a prime location to enjoy the beauty of the Amalfi Coast. Where would you advise that all guests visit?
The Amalfi Coast is full of magical places, but some are not to be missed. Amalfi’s cathedral is a jewel of art, while the Path of the Gods has become a very popular route for hiking enthusiasts. I also recommend the Roman Villa in Positano, as it gives an insight into Roman life and is just a few minutes from the hotel.
The hotel offers a selection of experiences for guests to try on their visit. Which would you most recommend?
Il San Pietro has so many experiences to enjoy. I especially recommend eating at our restaurants because they are so varied and offer a unique insight into Italian culinary excellence. The Zass has a Michelin star and no matter where you are seated you always have a wonderful view of the coast. Also, the Carlino is one of Positano’s only restaurants that is truly “pieds dans l’eau” (i.e. on a private beach in front of the sea). It offers a traditional Italian menu with dishes prepared using the freshest of ingredients.
In addition, we offer many exclusive experiences such as the complimentary 2-hour cruise, which is always appreciated by our guests, as well as our unique Italian language course, a cocktail masterclass and our pizza-making class.
During your career, what have you found to be the most important things that ensure guests enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience?
The key to making a stay unforgettable is delicately striking the perfect harmony between the hotel team, a high standard of service, the location and excellent food. Only when these elements find the perfect harmony can you manage to create the ideal unrepeatable guest experience.
If you could choose one destination to stay in for a luxurious week, outside of Italy, where would you choose and why?
One of the hotels I want to visit outside of Italy is Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc. We have a lot of guests coming from or going to this hotel, which has a well-known international appeal and is on my bucket list. Unfortunately, our seasons coincide and it’s not easy for me to leave Positano for a few days to visit the Côte d’Azur, but sooner or later I will!
If you’d like some more information about the Amalfi Coast, take a look at our Insight for some inspiration. We can tailor a trip to your exact, bespoke needs to any destination in the world that takes your fancy. We’ll happily arrange all of your accommodation and travel requirements, as well as find the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime moments and experiences for you and your group to enjoy. Please get in touch with us here to find out more.